Howard Morrison has always had a fascination for all things maritime. The retired Savannah businessman and philanthropist, who was instrumental in the creation of the Savannah Ocean Exchange, is a big supporter of Savannah’s Ships of the Sea Museum and was on hand for much of the Tall Ships festivities.

Last fall, the 68-year-old even braved a rope ladder in swaying seas to board a big cargo ship and ride it into port.

So I wasn’t the least bit surprised when I learned Howard was behind the latest maritime coup for the city — a collection of authentically detailed models of ships from the 20th century and beyond, to be displayed at the Savannah Maritime Trade and Convention Center.

“The Tall Ships Festival was wonderful, and the Ships of the Sea Museum is doing a beautiful job of telling the story of Savannah’s maritime history in the 18th and 19th centuries” he said.

With the museum already bursting at the seams, Morrison was looking for a way to highlight the nautical history of the 20th century and beyond.

The Trade Center fit the bill perfectly.

On Wednesday, before the start of the Trade Center Authority’s monthly meeting, Morrison was on hand as his friend, Remer Lane III, donated the first model — the MV Navigator Pluto, one of five petrochemical tankers he helped build at the turn of the 21st century while working for Navigator Gas.

“This ship is really special to me,” said Lane, a global economic development consultant who recently returned from more than 20 years abroad. “In 2000, it — and its four sister ships — were the largest ethylene tankers built as demand for the gas was growing.”

Lane, who describes himself as “the only Remer Lane who isn’t in insurance” said he didn’t realize he had the model until he came home to Savannah and unpacked some crates he had sent back.

“I’m delighted to donate this model to help people understand one of the types of ships that cruise global waters today,” he told the Trade Center board.

For Morrison, it’s important that visitors and locals alike have an understanding of what they see coming up the river.

“We want to get people past the ‘Oh, look at the huge ship’ and into asking the important questions — what kind of ship is it, where is it coming from, where is it going, what is it carrying,” Morrison said.

“It’s then that you begin to develop an appreciation for Savannah as a seaport and an important part of global commerce.”

Senior business reporter Mary Carr Mayle covers the ports for the Savannah Morning News. She can be reached at 912-652-0324 or at mary.mayle@savannahnow.com.

SHIPPING SCHEDULE

These are the ships expected to call on Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City and Ocean Terminals in the next week. Sailing schedules are provided by Georgia Ports Authority and are subject to change.